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AMAZING DISCOUNTS JUST FOR SDA MEMBERS

Save big time with the SDA’s

Frequent Values program!

SDA members can save hundreds of dollars with the Frequent Values program – Australia’s largest member benefits program.
 
SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas says members can enjoy discounts at over 2500 businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
 
Every SDA member gets a free Members’ Handbook featuring Frequent Values discounts. Frequent Values is operated by the same team which produces the popular Entertainment Book.
 
“As well, members can download and print new discount vouchers 24/7 just by going to sda.com.au,” Peter said.
 
(If you’ve just joined the SDA, we’ll send you a Member’s Handbook in the post with your membership card.)
 
It’s so easy to download discount vouchers!
Click the Discounts tab at the top of the sda.com.au home page. Log on to Frequent Values and click search. Select a State, select take-away and attractions and click enter. You can then download and print the vouchers.  

New Era for Spotlight workers

The SDA has negotiated the first collective enterprise Agreement for Spotlight workers.

“We’re really proud of this new Agreement which delivers Spotlight workers in South Australia and the Northern Territory a 9.95%* pay increase over 3 years,” says SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas.

Under the new Agreement, an adult Service Team Member will enjoy a pay rise of $62.55 over 3 years.

“This new Spotlight Agreement restores penalty rates for 6000 Spotlight workers Australia wide who are now paid extra if they work beyond 6pm and on weekends,” Peter says.

Spotlight came to prominence as a high-profile user of John Howard’s WorkChoices legislation but later described WorkChoices as too confusing and approached the SDA for help in establishing a new Agreement.

“The SDA negotiated on behalf of Spotlight workers with their best interests in mind and this has resulted in a great outcome and better workplace security for three years,” Peter says.

“Spotlight workers are in good hands and we’re happy to ensure they get a fair go at work.”

*Are you a Spotlight worker? Login to the Member’s Area of sda.com.au to view specific details of your new SDA negotiated Spotlight Agreement.

SDA to give away another Laptop!

SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas has extended the SDA’s Win a Laptop competition after thousands of online entries have poured in to sda.com.au.  
“I’m so delighted with the feedback on sda.com.au that I’m giving away another laptop,” Peter says.

“It’s great to hear what SDA members find most valuable about our new website sda.com.au - including a snapshot of their wages and conditions and the exact date of their next pay rise.”

Peter commended Rory Smith, 18, from Coles, Daw Park, for his excellent entry and congratulated him on winning the first Dell Laptop given away by the SDA.
Rory’s winning entry reads:  

“I love that my current pay rate appears automatically when I log in, the latest news link always has interesting and useful information and the layout of the site makes it easy for me to find what I’m looking for. Having this access makes me feel supported by the union.”

Peter says all entries received to date are now back in the draw for the second laptop computer and he encourages members who haven’t yet entered the competition to do so.

SDA members can enter the competition by going to the Member’s Area and clicking on competitions. It’s so easy – just tell us what you find most beneficial about sda.com.au.

SDA members tell us what they love about sda.com.au:

I find the whole website helpful. I’m 15 and was really nervous about starting my first job at Hungry Jacks but the SDA’s website has really taught me about all the workplace policies and what my rights are as an employee.

The most beneficial aspect of sda.com.au is the Wages and Conditions. It provides me with the knowledge that if something goes wrong, I always have someone to support me and it gives me comfort to know that the SDA cares about my safety and wellbeing in the workplace.
 
I can easily contact you, the SDA, about any pay or OHS&W issues straight away. If I think that something at work shouldn’t be happening and am scared to talk to my boss about it for whatever reasons, then all I have to do is send an email.
 
The website is very helpful and beneficial to me when I’m trying to find out how I should be treated and respected as an employee.

I can check my wages and all new policies or news anywhere, anytime. Before if I wanted to find something out I would waste my time on phones or running around the store and end up giving up without the answers. Now I can easily find everything out myself with just a click of a button.
 
The website has put to rest my questions about tea breaks and meal breaks to which I have been unable to get a straight answer from anybody at work, now I will be able to let others know of their rights about breaks at work.
 
My parents find sda.com.au invaluable because they can have their questions answered relating to my conditions.

Union members better off

Union members in Australia earn, on average, $96 a week more than non members and more Australians are joining unions, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics research.
 
SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas says that workers obviously understand the importance of belonging to a union like the SDA.
 
“In tough economic times, union members enjoy better job protection, wages and conditions,” he says.  
 
“Retail, fast food and warehouse workers know that the strength of the SDA is behind them when it comes to negotiating pay rises and better workplace conditions.
 
“During the economic downturn, many workers are seeking the security provided by the SDA which is front and centre for workers in good times and in bad.”
 
Peter welcomed the fact that companies must negotiate with unions under the new Fair Work Act, resulting in a fair go for all Australian workers.
 
“All these changes mean Australians are better off because basic workplace rights have been reinstated and reinforced. They know they can rely on unions like the SDA to work hard on their behalf.”

Don’t be shy at work!

SDA Union Reps often meet workers who are frustrated with what’s happening at work. Perhaps they’re missing out on their rest breaks if work is busy or they’re not receiving their correct pay.
 
These are serious workplace issues yet workers may be afraid to exercise their rights because they fear the repercussions. Young people in particular can miss out on their entitlements because they’re frightened to speak up.
 
So the message is “Don’t be shy!”
 
One of the best things about SDA membership is that you never have to go it alone at work when problems arise because our skilful SDA Union Reps can help you with tricky situations.
 
SDA Union Reps, who are allocated to specific stores, can give members confidential advice and can help fix small problems before they get worse. And they’ll only take action if you want them to.
 
 
It’s very important to remember that the SDA has negotiated your entitlements in a workplace Agreement which covers everything from your wages and rosters to meal breaks and personal leave.
 
These Agreement provisions have been accepted by the company and workers and are legally binding on all parties.
 
So always contact the SDA early if you have a problem at work – and remember, we’re the experts if you’re being underpaid or not getting your breaks.